https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 04:43:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34700 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:35:03 +0000 oliviaoblivia 34700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really hope this is the last year we travel for Christmas. It's just too much. We are driving 10 hours for Christmas Eve in Virginia with my family, then spending another 15 hours in the car to get to Florida to visit FIL on Christmas day. It's going to suck big time. There is no way I'm doing this again next year with a LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34690 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:20:35 +0000 venice4504 34690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that it's way too much. The kiddo is going to have a meltdown or even come down with a cold being around all those people. And honestly, is it really necessary? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34611 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:06:28 +0000 heffalump 34611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovelife: after he sees how stressful it is for the baby and you it'll probably be a lot easier to convince him.</p> <p>We had this issue over Thanksgiving because I made us stay over at my parents house where all my siblings and their so's were. They don't have a big house, and my lo is a light sleeper, so it wasn't good. My husband was terrified to tell me that he didn't want to stay there next year because he knows I love my traditions,, but I had already decided that before he said anything. </p> <p>Things change when you have a baby, and you have to put them first whether your family likes it or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34595 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:56:42 +0000 Modern Daisy 34595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is why I can't wait until we have kids, because I hate all the running around and feeling obligated to spend time with everyone over the course of 48 hours. When we have a baby, I am going to be firm about spending all of Christmas weekend in our apartment instead of driving all around to 3 different states. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34572 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:54:12 +0000 mrstilly 34572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm one of the few who prefers to travel with DS than to stay home. I don't cook and we are the farthest from our families in our direction that are still within driving distance. DH's family are 45 mins away and my family is 3 hours away, both east. If we stayed home it would be just another day for us. This year, there has been so much going on, so we didn't even get a tree! This year, since it's DS's 1st Christmas, we're doing visiting both families like we have the last few years. My birthday is on Christmas, so I pull rank and always see my family on Christmas Day. This year I'm insisting on leaving Xmas eve instead of Xmas to drive to my family too. I don't feel guilty since we see DH's family most weekends. </p> <p>Fri evening to Sat afternoon- DH's parents with DH's bro/SIL<br /> Sat afternoon to Monday evening - with my parents and siblings, plus big dinner Xmas Day with ~20 extended family members. </p> <p>DS is 8 months now and pretty easy going, so I am not concerned about traveling with him. It's sometimes hard for him to nap during a family meal at my family's place (usually 15-25 people) but we make it work. </p> <p>I really don't anticipate this changing any time soon, unless I give birth to another child really close to the holidays. Otherwise I think we will continue to travel for the holidays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34563 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:44:18 +0000 chopsuey 34563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never had to go from house to house for Christmas. We always got together at my parents' house for Christmas (until I was..28). Now that I'm married and live in a different state, we either hang out with DH's brother's fam or we spend Christmas at our house just the 3 of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34560 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:42:41 +0000 polkadots 34560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I hope I can talk DH into agreeing with this being the last year.. or atleast maybe going to one side for thanksgiving and the other side on christmas... Hes scared to hurt anyones feelings, I however am not. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34557 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:36:59 +0000 heffalump 34557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All of our family gatherings are in town, so it's not as bad for us but still a lot of stimulation. If I were you I'd let this be your last time. It's too much with a baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34552 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:31:39 +0000 Adira 34552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We almost never visit extended family for the holidays, unless they happen to be where we're going. For example, we're getting together with DH's Dad and Step-Mom the weekend after New Year's to do our Christmas with them, and I believe extended family will be there as well, but we're not seeing them on purpose, just a happy accident! And we're not seeing my extended family at all (who all live 4 hours away). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34548 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:27:16 +0000 mrbee 34548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once we had the kids, the thinking kind of flipped around for us. Now if they want to see us, they have to visit us rather than the other way around! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34547 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:26:21 +0000 mediagirl 34547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All of my extended family is in Ohio and we never see my husband's (they're not a close family). We used to do a holiday get together in Ohio each year but once all the cousins (us) got older, it got too hard to manage. We stopped a few years ago. </p> <p>His sisters live in VA and MD so I'm thinking once our baby is born to ask them if they would like to do a get together in early or mid December (way before Christmas) to see each other and do a gift exchange. That would be manageable. </p> <p>We did make the decision, though that we are going to stay home on Christmas once we have a little one. We will invite our family to come celebrate with us but we are not going to take our child away from home on Christmas day. Of course there will be exceptions to that if there is a family illness or something and Mom or Dad can't travel but that's the plan for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-going-to-extended-family-holidays#post-34542 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:21:35 +0000 polkadots 34542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was thinking about our christmas schedule and this is what it looks like...</p> <p>This weekend: My stepmoms extended family (her parents, sisters and families) 5 hours away!<br /> christmas eve: my moms extended family (my grandparents/ aunts counsins) a few blocks from our house!<br /> Christmas morming: my mom and siblings.. at our house!<br /> Christmas day afternoon : DHs dads extended family (His dads brothers and sisters and families)... 1 hour away from our house!<br /> Christmas day late afternoon: DHs moms extended family (his moms sisters and families) a few blocks for previous location.<br /> Christmas day night: my dad and siblings..1 hour from previous location<br /> Monday after Christmas:DHs mom and siblings.. 45 minutes from previous location. </p> <p>This schedule makes me freak out! It was ok before baby was here but its too much with her. and its also to much stimulation for her! she gets so crabby. We don't even get to enjoy the holiday since we are so busy running around!</p> <p>When did you stop going to extended holiday get togethers? </p>